barnard college sample essays

Barnard College Columbia University

Barnard Short Answer Questions

In addition to the personal essay which you will submit through the Common Application or QuestBridge, Barnard asks first-year applicants to respond to institution-specific short answer questions. We recommend spending time to thoughtfully consider these questions and your responses. Your answers to these questions, in conjunction with the rest of your application, will help the Admissions Committee understand how you may contribute to our community both academically and personally.

Below are the  2024  questions for first-year students.

• Required:  Barnard College is an extraordinary community of women committed to fostering curiosity and the exploration of new experiences and ideas. By utilizing the resources of our campus, our Foundations curriculum, and New York City, our students expand their world and discover their own capabilities. How do you envision these intersecting components of Barnard shaping your academic and personal journey? (200 words max)
• Required: Barnard College students engage in the bold questions that define their generation. Choose one question that you have about the world around you, and explain why it matters to you. (150 words max)
• Required: In college, you will encounter others with diverse viewpoints and experiences. Describe an instance where you engaged with someone who held a different opinion and explain how it shaped your perspective on the issue. (150 words max)

*Please note that the questions may change from year to year.

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Barnard Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

By Eric Eng

Are you gearing up for your college application journey and eyeing Barnard College as your destination? Well, you’re in the right place! Barnard, part of the vibrant Columbia University community in New York City, is known for its commitment to empowering women in education.

As you prepare to apply for the 2023-2024 academic year, you’ll likely encounter the Barnard supplemental essay prompts. These essays are your opportunity to showcase your unique qualities, experiences, and aspirations. They can be the key to unlocking the doors of your dream college.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the Barnard supplemental essay prompts, breaking down what they’re looking for and providing valuable tips to help you shine in your application. So, let’s embark on this journey together, giving you the best shot at securing your spot at Barnard College !

How Many Supplemental Essays Does Barnard College Require?

At Barnard College, the supplemental essay component of the 2023-2024 application cycle plays a crucial role in helping the admissions committee understand a candidate’s person al and academic dimensions. Applicants are required to respond to a series of prompts, two of which are mandatory and three optional , with a maximum word limit of 250 words for each.

The required essays focus on self-reflection and intellectual curiosity. Applicants are encouraged to delve into personal experiences and thought processes that reveal their authentic selves and how they interact with the world. These essays ask students to introspect and articulate their perspectives on personal growth and intellectual exploration.

The optional essays provide further opportunities for applicants to discuss diverse aspects of their identity and experiences. These prompts invite students to engage with contemporary societal issues, such as gender dynamics and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). 

They also offer a unique angle by allowing students to ponder a hypothetical conversation with an influential woman, be it a historical figure, a character from fiction, or a modern-day leader. This prompt specifically allows for creative and imaginative responses that can illuminate the student’s aspirations, inspirations, and values.

Through these essays, Barnard aims to discern how prospective students will contribute to and flourish in its dynamic and diverse academic community. The essays are a platform for students to demonstrate their ability to think critically, express themselves clearly, and showcase their readiness to engage with the challenges and opportunities presented by a rigorous academic environment.

What are the 2023-2024 Barnard Supplemental Essay Prompts?

These prompts are a crucial part of the application, allowing the admissions committee to gain deeper insights into how applicants might contribute to Barnard’s community both academically and personally.

Required Essay Prompts

Our backgrounds and experiences shape how we navigate the world and see ourselves. Tell us about when, where, or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self. How might Barnard College further cultivate this version of you? 

Barnard College celebrates intellectual risk-taking, and we believe that academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What questions do you have about the world around you, and why do they matter to you?

Optional Essay Prompts

As a college for women, “Barnard embraces its responsibility to address gender issues in all their complexity and urgency to help students achieve the personal strength that will enable them to meet the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.” How have you thought about gender in your academic life thus far and how has it shaped your learning experiences?

Barnard College’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion mission statement says “Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity has the potential to disrupt and transform entrenched practices and thinking.” In what ways have you challenged ideas, practices, or spaces? What did you learn from these experiences?

Pick one woman — a historical figure, a fictitious character, or a modern individual — who you’d like to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. Why does this person intrigue you? What would you talk about? What questions would you ask her?

How to Write the 2023-2024 Barnard Supplemental Essays

Required essay prompt 1.

Our backgrounds and experiences shape how we navigate the world and see ourselves. Tell us about when, where, or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self. How might Barnard College further cultivate this version of you?

Understanding the Question:

This essay prompt is an invitation for you to reflect on and share the aspects of your background and experiences that shape your identity and sense of empowerment. It asks you to consider environments or relationships where you feel most genuine and powerful. Additionally, it encourages you to think about how Barnard College can enhance and support this authentic version of yourself. Here are some key points to consider.

Crafting Your Response:

1. Identify Your Authentic Self: Think about when you feel most genuine and empowered. This could be while engaging in a particular activity, within a certain community, or even in moments of solitude. Describe specific instances or experiences that make you feel true to yourself. Maybe it’s when you’re leading a community project, playing a musical instrument, or solving complex problems in math. Your goal is to paint a vivid picture of these moments and articulate what makes them special.

2. Explore Influential Background Factors: Reflect on the elements of your background – cultural, familial, or educational – that contribute to your sense of self. Maybe your family’s storytelling traditions ignited your love for literature, or your experience moving to a new country fostered resilience and adaptability. Share how these experiences shaped not just your character, but also your worldview and ambitions.

3. Examine Relationships That Empower You: Consider the people who bring out the best in you. They could be mentors, friends, family members, or even historical figures you admire. Discuss how their influence has helped you grow into your most authentic, powerful self. Perhaps a teacher’s encouragement led you to pursue your passions, or a friend’s resilience inspired you to face challenges confidently.

4. Connect Your Experiences to Barnard: Research Barnard College’s programs, values, and community. Identify specific aspects of the college that resonate with your experiences and aspirations. For instance, if you thrive in collaborative environments, highlight Barnard’s emphasis on community and teamwork. If you are passionate about social justice, mention how Barnard’s diverse and inclusive community will foster your growth in this area.

5. Envision Your Future at Barnard: Finally, articulate how Barnard College can further cultivate your authentic, powerful self. This could involve taking advantage of specific academic programs, participating in extracurricular activities, or engaging with the college’s community in unique ways. Your aim here is to demonstrate not only what Barnard can do for you, but also what you can contribute to the Barnard community with your unique strengths and experiences.

Remember, the key to a successful essay is authenticity and specificity. Use personal anecdotes and specific examples to ill ustrate your points, making your essay not just a reflection of your past, but also a window into your potential future at Barnard College.

Required Essay Prompt 2

This prompt from Barnard College is an invitation for you to share your intellectual curiosity and the questions that captivate your mind. It’s a chance to showcase how you think, what issues or topics you find compelling, and why these matter to you. Here are some ideas to help you brainstorm an effective response.

1. Identify Your Burning Questions: Begin by identifying the questions that genuinely intrigue you. These could be broad philosophical inquiries, specific scientific conundrums, social justice issues, or anything else that sparks your intellectual curiosity. For instance, you might wonder about the implications of artificial intelligence on human employment, or you might be curious about how different cultures interpret the concept of happiness. Choose questions that you find yourself coming back to repeatedly, those that provoke deep thought and reflection.

2. Connect to Personal Experiences or Interests: Delve into why these questions are significant to you. Perhaps they are tied to a personal experience, a part of your identity, or an area of study you’re passionate about. For example, if you’re fascinated by environmental issues, you might discuss your experiences with local conservation efforts or how witnessing the impact of climate change in your community has shaped your perspective.

3. Demonstrate Intellectual Engagement: Explain how you have pursued these questions so far. This could be through reading books, conducting experiments, participating in debates, or engaging in community projects. Highlight any efforts you’ve made to understand or explore these questions, showing your proactive approach to intellectual exploration.

4. Link to Academic and Career Goals: Reflect on how these questions align with your academic interests and potential career paths. If you’re interested in political science, you might question how democracy can be preserved in the digital age. Discuss how exploring this question at Barnard would be a stepping stone towards your long-term goals, such as becoming a political analyst or a policy maker.

5. Articulate the Broader Importance: Lastly, articulate why these questions are significant not just to you, but to the world at large. Discuss the potential impact of finding answers or exploring these questions further. For instance, understanding the social dynamics behind income inequality could inform more effective policies to reduce poverty. This demonstrates your ability to think critically about the wider implications of your intellectual interests.

Remember, this essay is an opportunity to showcase your intellectual depth, curiosity, and how you engage with the world. It’s not just about the questions themselves, but about why they resonate with you and how they relate to your aspirations and the larger world.

Optional Essay Prompt 1

This prompt is an exploration of your understanding and reflection on gender issues, particularly in the context of your academic life. It’s an opportunity to discuss how gender has influenced your learning experiences, perspectives, and possibly your aspirations. Here are some key points to consider when answering this prompt.

1. Reflect on Personal Experiences with Gender: Start by thinking about how your gender identity has influenced your academic journey. Have there been instances where you felt empowered or challenged because of your gender? For example, you might discuss being the only girl in an advanced science class, and how this experience both challenged and motivated you. Consider any stereotypes or biases you’ve encountered and how you’ve responded to them.

2. Discuss Gender-Related Academic Interests: If you’ve explored gender issues through your coursework, extracurricular activities, or independent study, discuss these experiences. Maybe you’ve taken a gender studies class, participated in a club focused on gender equality, or written a research paper on a related topic. Explain what drew you to these experiences and how they’ve shaped your understanding of gender issues.

3. Analyze the Impact on Your Worldview: Consider how your experiences and reflections on gender have influenced your worldview. Have they made you more empathetic, open-minded, or proactive in addressing gender issues? Perhaps these experiences have shaped your career aspirations, such as working in fields that advocate for gender equality or conducting research on gender-related topics.

4. Connect to Barnard’s Mission: Relate your experiences and thoughts to Barnard College’s commitment to addressing gender issues. How do you see yourself contributing to and benefiting from this environment? For instance, you might be excited about joining a community that actively discusses and tackles gender issues, or you might be interested in Barnard’s programs that focus on women’s leadership.

5. Envision Your Future Contribution: Finally, think about how your understanding of gender can contribute to the Barnard community and beyond. Maybe you have ideas for initiatives or clubs that could support gender equality, or you’re eager to engage in research that explores gender dynamics. Show how your unique perspective on gender will add value to the college and how Barnard can further enhance your understanding and impact in this area.

In crafting your response, it’s important to be authentic and reflective. Use specific examples from your life to illustrate your points, and ensure your essay conveys a clear understanding of how gender has played a role in shaping your academic and personal development.

Optional Essay Prompt 2

This prompt is about understanding your ability to challenge the status quo, particularly in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). It’s a chance to reflect on how you’ve confronted established ideas, practices, or environments, and what you’ve learned from these experiences. Here are some ideas to guide your response.

1. Identify Instances of Challenging the Status Quo: Think about times when you’ve questioned or confronted established practices, ideas, or environments. This could be in your school, community, or social circles. For example, you might have spoken out against unfair practices in your school or challenged stereotypes in a club or group setting. It’s important to choose examples that demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

2. Reflect on Motivations and Actions: Dive into what motivated you to challenge these ideas or practices. Were you driven by a desire for fairness, a personal experience, or an understanding of larger societal issues? Discuss the specific actions you took, whether it was initiating a conversation, leading a campaign, organizing an event, or writing an article. The key is to showcase your initiative and leadership in advocating for change.

3. Analyze the Impact of Your Actions: Reflect on the impact of your actions, both on yourself and others. Did you notice a shift in attitudes or policies? Even if the change was small, discuss the significance of these shifts. For instance, starting a conversation about inclusivity might have encouraged others to share their experiences, leading to a more understanding and supportive environment.

4. Detail Your Learning Experience: Talk about what these experiences taught you. Did they deepen your understanding of DEI issues, change your perspective, or inspire you to continue advocating for change? Highlight any skills you developed, such as communication, empathy, or leadership.

5. Connect to Barnard’s Mission: Finally, relate your experiences and learnings to Barnard College’s commitment to DEI. Discuss how your perspective and actions align with their mission and how you plan to continue this advocacy at Barnard. You might want to mention specific DEI initiatives at Barnard that you’re excited to contribute to.

When crafting your essay, it’s important to be honest and introspective. Use specific examples to demonstrate your commitment to challenging entrenched practices and thinking, and show how these experiences have prepared you to contribute to and benefit from Barnard’s diverse community.

Optional Essay Prompt 3

This prompt is about identifying a woman, whether from history, fiction, or contemporary times, who you find particularly intriguing and would like to engage in a conversation with. It’s an opportunity to showcase your interests, values, and what you admire in others. Here are some key points to consider.

1. Selecting a Woman to Speak With: Start by choosing a woman who genuinely interests you. She could be a historical figure known for her impact in politics, science, art, or social justice; a fictional character who resonates with you; or a modern-day individual whose work or life inspires you. The choice should reflect your interests, values, or aspirations. For example, you might choose a pioneering scientist if you’re passionate about STEM, or a literary character who embodies qualities you admire.

2. Explaining Your Choice: Articulate why you have chosen this particular woman. Discuss the qualities, achievements, or experiences that make her stand out to you. This could be her resilience in the face of adversity, groundbreaking accomplishments, or the moral dilemmas she navigates. Your explanation should give insight into what you value and aspire to.

3. Topics of Discussion: Think about what you would want to discuss with her. These could be questions about her life and experiences, advice on challenges you’re facing, or her views on a particular issue. For instance, you might want to ask about specific moments in her life, her thoughts on current events, or seek guidance on following in her footsteps.

4. Questions You Would Ask: Formulate specific questions that you would like to ask her. These should be thoughtful and reflect a deep interest in understanding her perspective. The questions could range from seeking advice, understanding her motivations, to more profound questions about her beliefs and values.

5. Personal Reflection and Learning: Reflect on what you hope to learn from this conversation and how it could impact you. Perhaps it might offer you guidance, inspiration, or a new perspective on life. Consider how this conversation could influence your future decisions, career path, or personal growth.

In writing your essay, ensure it’s a reflection of your curiosity, your admiration for the chosen woman, and your desire for learning and personal growth. This essay is a chance to reveal more about who you are, what you care about, and how you engage with the world around you.

Materials to Read Before Writing Your 2023-2024 Barnard Supplemental Essays

Let’s dive deeper into what you should read and consider before writing the 2023-2024 Barnard supplemental essays:

1. Barnard’s Values: Take some time to learn about what Barnard College believes in. They care about things like empowering women, diversity, and academic excellence. When you write your essays, you’ll want to connect your own beliefs and experiences to these values. Show how you’re a good fit for Barnard because you share these principles.

2. Explore the Website: Barnard’s official website is like a treasure trove of information. You can find out about the majors they offer, what students are involved in, and even cool things happening on campus. The more you know about Barnard, the better you can explain why you want to be a part of their community.

3. Student Stories: Reading stories from current Barnard students is like hearing directly from the people who’ve been where you are now. Their experiences can give you ideas about how to talk about your own life in your essays. Maybe they joined a particular club or took a unique class that you’re interested in.

4. Course Catalog: The course catalog is like a big menu of academic options. You can see what classes are available and what they’re about. Look for classes that excite you or professors whose work you admire. Mentioning these in your essays shows that you’ve thought about how you’ll contribute to Barnard’s academic community.

5. Campus Life: Learn about the things students do outside of classes. Clubs, sports, volunteer work – these are all part of campus life. If you find something that sparks your interest, explain how you’d like to be a part of it and contribute your energy and enthusiasm.

6. Recent Events: Keeping up with what’s happening at Barnard right now is like staying in touch with the latest news. Mentioning recent events in your essays can show that you’re engaged and connected to the college.

In addition to staying up-to-date on current events, it’s also important to be aware of the college’s history and traditions. This will help you to understand the unique culture of Barnard and make a good impression on admissions officers.

7. Your Own Experiences: Reflecting on your life is like looking in a mirror. Think about the challenges you’ve faced, the things you’ve achieved, and where you want to go. Connect these experiences to what Barnard values and how you can add to their community.

By digging into these aspects with a keen eye, you’ll be well-equipped to write essays that not only showcase your qualities but also demonstrate why you and Barnard are a perfect match. Remember, the more you know, the better you can tell your story to the college admissions team.

Importance of Structure

The structure is like the backbone of your essays. It helps you present your ideas in a clear and organized manner, making it easier for the admissions te am to understand and connect with your story. Here’s why it’s crucial:

1. Clarity: A well-structured essay is like a well-marked path in a forest. It guides the reader through your thoughts and experiences logically. This clarity ensures that the admissions team can easily follow your narrative, which is essential for them to get a full picture of who you are and what you bring to Barnard.

2. Engagement: Good structure keeps your reader engaged. It’s like telling a captivating story with a beginning, middle, and end. When your essay flows smoothly, it’s more enjoyable to read. This can leave a positive impression on the admissions officers, making them more inclined to see you as a potential Barnard student.

3. Showcasing Your Fit: The right structure helps you highlight your fit with Barnard’s values and mission. By organizing your essay thoughtfully, you can emphasize the aspects of your experiences and aspirations that align with what Barnard seeks i n its students. This makes it easier for the admissions team to see why you’re a great match for their community.

Structuring Your 2023-2024 Barnard Supplemental Essays

Now, let’s explore three key points on how you can structure your essays effectively:

1. Start with a Compelling Hook: Your opening should grab the reader’s attention. Share a personal anecdote, a thought-provoking question, or a powerful quote that relates to the essay prompt. This is like the first brushstroke on a canvas—it sets the tone and draws the reader in.

2. Tell Your Story Coherently: Organize your essay chronologically or thematically, depending on the prompt. If you’re discussing your academic journey, you might start with early interests and progress to recent accomplishments. If it’s about your values or experiences, arrange them in a way that builds upon each other, creating a cohesive narrative.

3. Wrap It Up with a Strong Conclusion: Summarize your main points and reiterate why you’re excited about joining Barnard College. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression. You can also mention how your experiences align with Barnard’s values one more time. Think of it as putting a bow on a beautifully wrapped gift—you want to leave the reader with a sense of closure and excitement.

Incorporating these structural elements into your 2023-2024 Barnard supplemental essays will not only make them more engaging but also help you effectively convey your fit with the college’s community and values. Remember, your essays are your opportunity to shine, so craft them with care and confidence!

How to Effectively Revise and Proofread Your 2023-2024 Barnard Supplemental Essays

Let’s explore how you can effectively revise and proofread your 2023-2024 Barnard supplemental essays to ensure they are polished and error-free:

1. Take a Break Before Revising: After you’ve written your essays, give yourself some time to step away from them. It’s like letting a cake cool before adding frosting. Taking a break allows you to return to your essays with fresh eyes and a clearer perspective. You’ll be more likely to catch errors and areas that need improvement.

2. Check for Clarity and Coherence: When you read your essays out loud, you can hear how they flow and whether they make sense. This is a great way to identify awkward sentences or confusing phrases that you may not have noticed when you were reading them silently. You can also have someone else read your essays to you, which can be helpful for getting a fresh perspective on your writing.

In addition to reading your essays out loud, you should also make sure that each paragraph flows logically from one to the next. This means that the ideas in each paragraph should be related to each other, and that the paragraphs should be arranged in a logical order. You can do this by thinking about the main idea of each paragraph and how it relates to the overall thesis statement of your essay. You should also make sure that your sentences are clear and concise, and that your use of language is appropriate for your audience.

Finally, you should make sure that all of the pieces of your essay fit together perfectly. This means that your introduction should grab the reader’s attention and clearly state your thesis statement, your body paragraphs should support your thesis statement with evidence, and your conclusion should restate your thesis statement and leave the reader with a final thought.

3. Eliminate Redundancy and Be Concise: Review your essays for repetition or unnecessary details. Imagine you’re packing for a trip; you want to include only the essentials. Remove any sentences or words that don’t add value to your essay. Be concise and get straight to the point, ensuring your writing is as impactful as possible.

4. Check Grammar and Spelling: Proofreading is like being a detective searching for hidden errors. Go through your essays carefully to catch grammar mistakes, typos, and spelling errors. You can use grammar-checking tools like Grammarly, but don’t rely solely on them. Sometimes, they miss context-specific errors. It’s always a good idea to have a trusted friend or family member review your work as well.

5. Get Feedback and Revise Again: Sharing your essays with someone you trust, such as a teacher, mentor, or friend, can be an invaluable way to improve your writing. These individuals can provide valuable insights and suggestions for how to make your essays stronger. They may be able to identify areas where your writing is unclear or needs more support, and they can offer tips on how to improve your grammar, punctuation, and style. In addition, getting feedback from someone else can help you see your work from a new perspective, which can be helpful in identifying areas where you can make improvements.

When you share your essays with someone else, it is important to be open to feedback and to be willing to make changes. If you are defensive or resistant to criticism, you may not get the most out of the experience. Instead, try to approach feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow as a writer.

Once you have received feedback on your essay, take some time to consider it carefully. Make a list of the changes that you think would be most beneficial, and then revise your essay accordingly. It may be helpful to have someone else read your revised essay to see if they notice any improvements.

Sharing your essays with someone else can be a great way to improve your writing skills. By taking advantage of the feedback of others, you can learn from your mistakes and make your essays stronger.

6. Read Backwards: While it may seem like an unusual approach, proofreading your essay backward can be an effective way to catch errors. By starting at the end and reading each sentence in reverse, you force yourself to focus on individual words and phrases. This can help you identify typos and grammatical mistakes that you might have missed if you had read the essay in the conventional order. Additionally, reading backward can help you identify logical inconsistencies and missing information.

7. Final Check for Alignment with Barnard’s Values: Before submitting, double-check that your essays align with Barnard’s values and mission. Ensure that you’ve effectively demonstrated why you’re a great fit for the college. It’s like making sure the final strokes of your artwork match the intended masterpiece.

By following these detailed revision and proofreading steps, you can ensure that your 2023-2024 Barnard supplemental essays are n ot only error-free but also compelling and in line with what the college is looking for in its applicants. Remember, the effort you put into revising and proofreading can make a significant difference in the overall quality of your application.

Why You Should Study at Barnard College

Studying at Barnard College is a unique opportunity that blends rigorous academic pursuits with a supportive and empowering community. As of 2023, Barnard is recognized as the top women’s college in America, reflecting its commitment to providing an unparalleled educational experien ce. This prestigious ranking is a testament to the college’s excellence in various fields, including being ranked eighth among liberal arts colleges and ninth among small colleges in the nation.

Barnard stands out for its distinctive approach to education. As an all-women’s college located in New York City, it offers a singular experience that combines the benefits of a smaller college community with the vast resources of a major university. This is possible due to its historic affiliation with Columbia University, allowing you access to a broad array of mixed courses and opportunities, while still receiving a degree that acknowledges your specific undergraduate journey at Barnard. 

Academically, Barnard is committed to fostering intellectual growth and exploration. For the 2023-2024 academic year, the college has welcomed a diverse group of faculty members across various disciplines, from historians to filmmakers and urban planners. This infusion of new talent further strengthens Barnard’s mission to provide a world-class education that spans the arts and sciences.

Beyond the academic realm, Barnard’s location in the heart of New York City offers an unmatched blend of urban excitement and a close-knit campus community. Students here enjoy the vibrancy and cultural richness of city life while benefiting from the sense of belonging and support found within the Barnard community. The campus environment is described as cozy and centralized, fostering a strong sense of camaraderie among students and faculty alike.

In preparing for the 2023-2024 Barnard supplemental essays, understanding these unique features of Barnard College can provide valuable context. Whether it’s the college’s top-tier academic reputation, its empowering all-women environment, the dynamic and diverse faculty, or the unique balance of urban immersion and campus community, Barnard offers a multifaceted experience that can shape your academic journey and personal growth in profound ways.

Barnard’s Key Metrics and Deadlines

As you consider applying to Barnard College for the 2023-2024 academic year, it’s essential to understand the competitive nature of its admissions process and the various deadlines involved. For the Class of 2027, which entered in Fall 2023, Barnard received 11,804 applicants, of whom 9 20 were admitted, translating to an acceptance rate of approximately 7.8%. This competitive acceptance rate highlights Barnard’s status as a highly selective institution.

In terms of application deadlines, Barnard offers two admission rounds: Early Decision and Regular Decision. For Early Decision, the application deadline is November 1, with notification by mid-December. For Regular Decision, the deadline is January 1, with notification by late March. These deadlines are crucial for the timely submission of your application, including the Barnard writing supplement, which forms a significant part of the application process.

In addition to the application, Barnard College requires several materials. These include the Common Application, a non-refundable application fee (or fee waiver request), official high school and college transcripts, and letters of recommendation. It’s important to note that Barnard is test-optional for the 2023-2024 applications cycle, meaning SAT or ACT scores are not required. However, if English is not your primary language, you may need to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores. The college also provides an option to submit supplementary portfolios for students interested in showcasing additional talents or achievements.

Beyond the admissions process, it’s encouraging to know that Barnard College boasts a high retention and graduation rate. 97% of students return for their sophomore year, and 93% of first-year students graduate within six years. Additionally, 91% of graduates are employed or attending graduate/professional school six months after graduation. These statistics reflect Barnard’s commitment to academic excellence and student success, making it an attractive choice for your higher education journey.

As you prepare your application, including the 2023-2024 Barnard supplemental essays, consider these factors carefully. Barnard’s rigorous academic environment, combined with its comprehensive support systems, offers a transformative educational experience. The college’s location in New York City further enriches this experience, providing numerous cultural, profess ional, and social opportunities.

The Importance of Supplemental Essays

Supplemental essays for the 2023-2024 Barnard College application are an essential component in the college admissions process, playing a pivotal role in helping you secure a spot at this prestigious institution. These essays offer you a unique opportunity to personalize your application and connect with the admissions team on a deeper level.

Think of these essays as personalized invitations to the college admissions team, allowing you to showcase your personality, experiences, and values. Through these essays, you can paint a vivid picture of who you are, what you’re passionate about, and why you’re an excellent fit for Barnard College. Crafting thoughtful and authentic responses can establish a genuine connection with the admissions officers, making them more inclined to remember you amidst a sea of applicants.

Moreover, the importance of these essays lies in their ability to demonstrate your fit with Barnard’s unique mission and community. Beyond academic excellence, colleges like Barnard seek individuals who will thrive in their specific academic and social environment. Your supplemental essays are the canvas on which you can illustrate how your goals, interests, and values align with Barnard’s mission. This alignment can be a compelling factor in the admissions decision, signaling that you’re not just seeking any college but Barnard specifically.

Furthermore, your supplemental essays provide an opportunity to set yourself apart from other applicants. Given that many applicants may have similar grades and test scores, crafting well-structured, engaging, and memorable essays can help you stand out. Share unique anecdotes, reflect on personal growth, and convey your aspirations in a way that leaves a lasting impression. This distinctiveness can make you a more attractive candidate and increase your chances of being admitted to Barnard.

Lastly, these essays serve to complement your primary application. While your primary application offers an overview of your academic achievements and extracurricular activities, it may not delve deeply into your motivations, values, or personality. Your supplemental essays fill in these gaps, offering the admissions team a more holistic view of who you are and what you can bring to the Barnard community. This holistic perspective enhances your application’s overall strength and bolsters your case for admission.

Final Thoughts

In wrapping up our exploration of the 2023-2024 Barnard supplemental essays, remember that these essay prompts are your chance to let your unique voice an d experiences shine. Barnard College values the diversity of its student body and seeks individuals who can contribute meaningfully to their community.

As you craft your essays, be authentic, be yourself, and be passionate about your aspirations. Take your time, revise, seek feedback, and make sure your essays reflect your best work.

With determination and dedication, you can craft essays that make you stand out from the crowd and demonstrate why you’re a great fit for Barnard. So, go ahead and tackle those essay prompts with confidence. Best of luck in your college application journey, and may your words pave the path to your future success at Barnard College!

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Barnard College 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Guide

Early Decision: Nov 1

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 6

Barnard College 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 200 words; 2 essays of 150 words

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Why ,   Diversity

Barnard College is an extraordinary community of women committed to fostering curiosity and the exploration of new experiences and ideas. By utilizing the resources of our campus, our Foundations curriculum, and New York City, our students expand their world and discover their own capabilities. How do you envision these intersecting components of Barnard shaping your academic and personal journey? (200 words)

Even if this prompt doesn’t have the word “why” in it, it’s still a classic Why Essay. Why Barnard? Admissions wants to know how you believe Barnard’s community, curriculum, and location will shape your academic and personal journey, as well as expand your world and help you to discover your own capabilities. So do as you would with any other Why Essay and start with research. Explore Barnard’s website , or attend a campus tour if you can, and paint a picture of how you will take advantage of Barnard’s offerings when you get to campus. Maybe it’s always been a dream of yours to pursue a degree in Theatre in New York City, home of iconic Broadway productions. Perhaps you can’t wait to network with other women in STEM while pursuing your passion for fashion with other like-minded students at Hoot Magazine . The more details you can provide, the more you’ll demonstrate your interest and fit.

Barnard College students engage in the bold questions that define their generation. Choose one question that you have about the world around you, and explain why it matters to you. (150 words)

Admissions wants to invite the kinds of students to campus who aren’t afraid to think critically and challenge the status quo, so reflect on one bold question you have about the world around you and why you believe the answer(s), or lack thereof, is important. What do you find particularly interesting or flummoxing? What was the last topic/idea/event that you read a five-page thinkpiece about? Admissions seeks to accept intellectually curious students who are passionate about learning, enriching their understanding of the world around them, and putting what they’ve learned into practice. Pro tip: try not to fall down too many Reddit rabbit holes while brainstorming for this prompt; instead, focus on one (just one) question that keeps you up at night and demonstrate what that question shows about you as a learner and seeker of truth.

In college, you will encounter others with diverse viewpoints and experiences. Describe an instance where you engaged with someone who held a different opinion and explain how it shaped your perspective on the issue. (150 Words)

Whether you cherish early-morning car rides to school with your dad, conversations with your teammates during pregame pasta parties, or chatting with neighbors at your annual block party, we’re willing to bet you’ve encountered at least one person who has held a differing viewpoint. And Barnard wants to hear about it.

Barnard has even gone so far as to ask you to cite a specific instance, so be as specific and purposeful as possible and follow through with a detailed account to make sure your response stands out from the pack. Maybe you had your beliefs challenged by a cousin who leads a very different lifestyle from you over Thanksgiving dinner. Or, perhaps, you asked probing questions about your dad’s beliefs in order to better understand his worldview during a game of mini golf. If you can’t recall where you were at the time, no problem; but details are your friend here to add credibility. 

Whatever conversation you decide to write about, remember to address the second part of the question: how did the exchange or experience shape your perspective on the issue? Were you introduced to a point of view that you hadn’t considered before? Did you and your conversation partner find a middle ground or did you feel even more resolute in your viewpoint than you had before the conversation? Show Barnard that you are not afraid to consider new ideas and engage with others about important issues.

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Barnard Supplemental Essays 2023-24

One of the key steps to getting into Barnard is writing your Barnard College supplemental essays. Like many top schools, Barnard uses supplemental essays to learn more about their applicants during the admissions process. Before we start our discussion of the Barnard supplemental essays, let’s learn a bit more about Barnard.

In this guide to the Barnard supplemental essays, we’ll go over Barnard’s essay and application requirements. Mainly, we will discuss the required Barnard college essays, like the Why Barnard essay, along with the optional Barnard essays. Throughout, you’ll find tips on approaching the Barnard College essays and advice on how to get into Barnard.

Ready to get started? First, let’s review some quick facts about the Barnard College application process.

Barnard Essays: Quick Facts

Barnard college supplemental essays quick facts.

• Barnard Acceptance Rate: 11% – U.S. News ranks Barnard as a highly selective school. 
• Why Barnard essay
• Intellectual curiosity essay
• Gender essay
• Challenging ideas essay
• One woman essay
• Barnard Application: Students must submit their application through the Common Application or Questbridge . Be sure to have your Barnard supplemental essays and all other required materials ready when you submit your application.  
• Early Decision: November 1
• Regular Decision: January 1
• Barnard Supplemental Essays Tip: The Barnard acceptance rate is highly selective, so your Barnard College supplemental essays must be pristine if you want to gain acceptance. Give yourself plenty of time to rethink and revise your drafts to make sure your ideas are clear and compelling. Then, make sure you do a close, proofreading edit of your final draft – pristine essays don’t have typos!

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

More info on Barnard

Barnard College is a private, liberal arts women’s college located in New York City. Founded in 1889, Barnard was the first college in NYC to offer degrees to women. Barnard consistently ranks highly among women’s colleges and is currently ranked #11 in National Liberal Arts Colleges by U.S. News.

The college is affiliated with Columbia University , another highly prestigious school in New York. This partnership allows Barnard students to share academic resources with their Columbia student counterparts across the street. So, it should be no surprise that Barnard, like Columbia, is quite selective. That means you’ll need to ace all parts of your application, especially the Barnard College supplemental essays, to gain admittance. Let’s get into it.

Does Barnard have supplemental essays? 

Yes, Barnard College has supplemental essays, which are incredibly important. They contribute greatly to the overall impact of your application and are vital to crafting your personal narrative . Your Barnard College essays, in combination with the rest of your application, should paint a picture for Barnard Admissions. Who are you, and how will you contribute to the Barnard community?

The Barnard supplemental essays give you the perfect opportunity to stand out among other competitive applicants. Some of the Barnard supplemental essays, like the Why Barnard essay, are required, while others are optional. Whichever prompts you choose to answer, be sure to address the questions with thoughtful and unique responses.

When choosing how many Barnard essays to submit, consider the writing process. You’ll want to brainstorm , plan, edit, and revise your Barnard supplemental essays several times before submitting them. Consider your Barnard supplemental essays as critical personal reflections – there are no shortcuts to achieving depth and cohesion in your essays.

As previously mentioned, there are required Barnard essays and optional Barnard essays. Let’s start with the most important: the required Barnard essays.

How many essays does Barnard require? 

In addition to your Common Application or Questbridge essays , first-year applicants must submit responses to the Barnard supplemental essays questions. Currently, Barnard requires two Barnard supplemental essays and allows students to write responses to three optional prompts. For the best shot at overcoming the Barnard acceptance rate, we recommend submitting responses for all five Barnard supplemental essays.

Currently, each of the Barnard supplemental essays allows responses of no more than 250 words. So, while completing all five Barnard essays sounds like a lot, they do not require long responses. The goal of the required Barnard supplemental essays is to demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, interest in Barnard, and personal values.

One of the required prompts is a Why Barnard essay, while the other pertains to curiosity. Both the required and optional essay prompts are outlined below.

What are the Barnard essay prompts? 

Barnard’s application provides prompts for two required Barnard supplemental essays and three optional Barnard supplemental essays. Below are the Barnard Writing Supplement questions for first-year applicants. (Remember, the Barnard supplemental essays may change from year to year, so be sure to visit Barnard’s Admissions website.)

Why Barnard Essay

The Why Barnard essay requires you to explain why you want to attend Barnard College. Many colleges and universities ask students to write a Why This College essay as part of their application. A Why This College essay should include the specific details that have drawn you to the school. Additionally, it should demonstrate how you would fit into the campus community. The Why Barnard essay is no different!

The Why Barnard supplemental essay prompt is as follows:

Why Barnard College Essay Prompt

Our backgrounds and experiences shape how we navigate the world and see ourselves. tell us about when, where, or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self. how might barnard college further cultivate this version of you.

This prompt requires you to explain to the admissions team why you think Barnard is the best college for you. Specifically, they want to know how the college will impact your personal growth and future goals. While the Why Barnard essay may seem simple, you’ll want to make your answer as rich and detailed as possible.

Your Why Barnard essay should be specific to Barnard’s academic experience and offerings. To best prepare your response to the Why Barnard essay, research Barnard’s curriculum, location, campus culture, and values. Being informed about Barnard will help you craft a more compelling Why Barnard essay.

Focus on the qualities that set Barnard apart from other colleges and universities. If you want the experience of living and learning in New York City, tell them why Barnard specifically. Be specific and purposeful when answering the Why Barnard essay prompt. And, rather than writing a long list, focus on only the most important details.

Remember, the Why Barnard essay is a required component of the Barnard application. Be sure to invest adequate time and energy into writing a compelling response. Want to read more about Why This College essay prompts and other college essay prompts? Check out our 8 College Essay Topics guide! You can also find Why Barnard essay examples and other Barnard essay examples here . 

Barnard Supplemental Essay #2: Bold Questions

We’ve talked about the Why Barnard essay. Now, let’s talk about the second of the two required Barnard supplemental essays:

Barnard College Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

Barnard college celebrates intellectual risk-taking, and we believe that academic inquiry starts with bold questions. what questions do you have about the world around you, and why do they matter to you.

The key to this prompt is in the wording. Make sure your interest is framed as a question/questions in the context of academics. If your topic doesn’t relate to an academic area of study, it probably isn’t a strong topic for this essay.

This prompt is a great place to touch on something the admissions team may not know about you yet. Or, you could elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities that relates to a topic you are curious about. However, be sure to focus on the framework of the prompt. For instance, don’t just state that you are interested in robotics and are on your school’s robotics team. Share the questions your experiences have prompted in you, and why you are driven to find answers to them.

Even though this isn’t a Why Barnard essay, it’s still an opportunity to show you are a good fit for Barnard. Barnard values critical thinking, openness, engagement, and diversity. How can you embody these values in your approach to your chosen topic?

Because the choice is yours, you get to set the narrative. Be sure to choose something you are genuinely passionate about or that is thought-provoking for you. An uninspired essay may fall flat and won’t give admissions the same idea of you that an inspired essay will.

Optional Barnard Supplemental Essays

There are three optional Barnard supplemental essays. However, just because they are optional doesn’t mean you should skip them. The highly selective acceptance rate requires you to stand out in every way possible. So, you should take advantage of all the optional Barnard supplemental essays. 

The three optional Barnard supplemental essays cover a spectrum of topics. This is valuable because they allow you to demonstrate yourself as a well-rounded and culturally competent individual. To help you feel confident approaching these additional essays, let’s go over each prompt in more detail!

Barnard essay #1 – Gender

Here is the first optional Barnard supplemental essay prompt:

Barnard College Optional Essay Prompt #1

As a college for women, “barnard embraces its responsibility to address gender issues in all their complexity and urgency to help students achieve the personal strength that will enable them to meet the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.” how have you thought about gender in your academic life thus far and how has it shaped your learning experiences”.

In developing your response, you’ll want to demonstrate how gender has played a role in your studies so far. While not explicitly asked in the question, you’ll also want to consider how it’s ultimately impacted your desire to attend Barnard. Women’s-only colleges offer a unique academic experience, which you may want to touch on in your essay. 

A successful essay will reflect on your personal experience with concrete support. It may be helpful to ground your essay in a specific anecdote or situation you’ve found yourself in. Maybe there was a moment when you felt gender was somehow an obstacle to your learning. Or, maybe you’ve noticed patterns or made connections between gender and different topics you’ve studied.

While technically optional, writing a reflective, insightful, and motivated response to this prompt can significantly strengthen your application. This is a great opportunity to connect to Barnard’s values, especially given gender is highlighted in Barnard’s mission :

“As a college for women, Barnard embraces its responsibility to address issues of gender in all of their complexity and urgency and to help students achieve the personal strength that will enable them to meet the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.”

Barnard supplemental essay #2 – Challenging ideas

The prompt for the second of the optional Barnard supplemental essays is as follows:

Barnard College Optional Essay Prompt #2

Barnard college’s diversity, equity, and inclusion mission statement says, “our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity has the potential to disrupt and transform entrenched practices and thinking.” in what ways have you challenged ideas, practices, or spaces what did you learn from these experiences.

Barnard is looking to enroll in a class that is culturally competent and shares the same values and mission. This essay requires you to demonstrate your relationship with cultural diversity. How has it shaped your identity and what have you learned from it? This Barnard College supplemental essay prompt requires the student to be personal, specific, and vulnerable.

Your response can be broken up into two parts. First, you’ll need to detail the specific experiences you’ve had challenging others. Maybe you’ve had discussions in your church group or with your family where you question the status quo. Or, maybe, you’ve created opportunities to hold space to discuss conflicting and challenging ideas. Whatever your experience, make sure to touch on what you learned from it. How did this particular experience help you grow, and what lessons will you take with you into the future?

Barnard essay prompt #3 – One woman

Finally, we have the fifth Barnard College supplemental essays prompt:

Barnard College Optional Essay Prompt #3

Pick one woman — a historical figure, a fictitious character, or a modern individual — who you’d like to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. why does this person intrigue you what would you talk about what questions would you ask her.

Prompts in this style are common across college applications. If you could pick anyone, who would you invite to dinner or coffee? Since Barnard is a women’s college, it makes sense that this prompt is interested in knowing which woman you would choose. 

This Barnard College supplemental essays prompt really gives you free rein. Use the opportunity to develop yourself beyond your academic accomplishments. This Barnard College supplemental essays prompt presents multiple questions. Be sure to answer all components of the prompt entirely. It is important to remember there is a 250-word count max, so you will have to balance being clear and succinct in your response with addressing all three questions. 

Start by brainstorming a list of women you would be interested in writing this essay about. Just as with any of the prompts, you should not pick a woman to write about with the sole purpose of sounding impressive. Remember, there is no right answer. Be sure to write about a woman you are truly curious about and explain your reasoning. The admissions team should be able to feel the inspiration behind your choice. 

Are these Barnard essays really optional? 

The optional Barnard College supplemental essays are not a technical requirement of the application, so yes – they’re really optional. If you don’t feel like you have something to say that speaks to your character or values – don’t worry. You won’t be penalized for not writing all five essays. However, if you’re truly excited about attending Barnard, you’ll certainly have something valuable to speak on in response to these prompts.

If you’re passionate about attending Barnard, show admissions you’re invested by writing all five essays. The more essays you write, the more the Barnard admissions team gets to know about you. Not only that, but the essays allow you to control the narrative of your application. Taking the opportunity to write the optional Barnard College supplemental essays demonstrates your willingness to go above and beyond!

Choosing which essays to write 

There are many reasons to write optional Barnard College supplemental essays, but let’s start with some reasons why you should not. When choosing which optional essay prompts to respond to, you should consider your passions, strengths, and weaknesses. Don’t write optional Barnard College supplemental essays just for the sake of writing. Admissions officers will be able to spot this misguided and uninspired attempt from a mile away. Only craft a response to an optional essay if it is purposeful and passionate.

With that being said, the more essays you write, the better chance you have of letting Barnard get to know the real you. Use the optional Barnard College essays prompts as an opportunity to elaborate on yourself and your interest in Barnard College. These essays are especially useful if you feel like your academic portfolio is not an accurate reflection of who you are as a student and a person. 

When choosing which Barnard College essays to write, read the prompts carefully so you can answer the question fully. Barnard College supplemental essays provide you with an opportunity to provide additional information to the admissions committee. However, avoid repeating yourself or recycling information found elsewhere in your application. Writing about different topics demonstrates that you are a well-rounded applicant who will contribute to various aspects of Barnard’s community.

5 Tips for writing outstanding Barnard essays

Tip #1 – start early.

Writing outstanding essays that beat the highly selective Barnard College acceptance rate requires ample time to plan, write, and revise. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the application deadlines and current supplement questions, especially the Why Barnard essay. Most importantly, make sure you have budgeted enough time to write both required and all three optional Barnard supplemental essays.

Tip #2 – Show, Don’t Tell

Use the Barnard supplemental essays as an opportunity to show the admissions team who you are beyond your academic achievements. The best way to do so is by painting a vivid picture and engaging the reader with stories. If you claim to have certain traits, qualities, or values, you should demonstrate these with specific anecdotes and actions. Use this technique to make your application come alive and your essays shine . 

Tip #3 – Write authentically

We’re sure you have heard it before, but the most vital aspect of any successful college essay is being yourself. Your Barnard supplemental essays should accurately reflect your experiences, values, and interests. Don’t write what you think the admissions team wants to hear. Being true to yourself has the power to demonstrate your unique perspective and strength of character. 

Tip #4 – Be clear and concise

Your Barnard supplemental essays are limited to 250 words. So, you have to make every word count and showcase your ability to communicate effectively. Narrow your thoughts down to your strongest arguments and most valuable experiences and only elaborate on these. This will make it easy for you and the admissions team to follow your reasoning and connections between points!

Tip #5 – Leave time to proofread and revise your essays 

Your Barnard essays are evaluated for content as well as writing style and grammatical skills. When you think you have finished your Barnard College essays, you should:

• Proof-read for spelling, grammar, and punctuation
• Edit out unnecessary words or phrases
• Ensure you have responded directly to the prompt and have answered all parts of the question.

Before you submit, it’s a good idea to get input from trusted sources. While you should consider external input, it is vital that you maintain your own writing style and voice. That way the admissions team gets to know the real you. 

Be sure to use these tips to help you plan your own Barnard essays! And, feel free to refer to this guide when you begin your Barnard College essays writing process.

Barnard Supplemental Essays: Final Takeaways 

If you’re looking for a final takeaway, it’s this: prepare careful and thoughtful responses to all of the Barnard supplement questions. While your grades and test scores are important parts of your application, they aren’t enough to gain admission. Your Barnard essays have the power to round out your application and help you stand out in a competitive application process. Use your supplemental essays to tell the admissions team who you are beyond your academic achievements. Wow them by showing the Barnard admissions team something they won’t see anywhere else in your application.

If you want more advice pertaining to Barnard College, check out this guide on how to get into Barnard College. And, take a look at past Barnard essay examples for inspiration while writing your own. Want to learn more about going to school in Manhattan? Get the inside scoop on what it’s like to attend NYU, Columbia, and Barnard by watching this webinar . 

We hope this guide has helped you better understand the Barnard College essays and how to get into Barnard. Whether you’ve just started your college list or you are already working on your application – CollegeAdvisor has tips for you. Happy writing!

This essay guide was written by Bailey Bennett. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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How to Write the Barnard College Essays 2019-2020

Barnard College is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, just across the street from Columbia University. This women’s college was founded in 1889 when Columbia refused to admit women. Since then, it has flourished as one of the premier women’s colleges in America. Barnard offers a traditional liberal arts curriculum to its 2,600 students and has a very competitive acceptance rate of 11.3%. 

Barnard requires two supplemental essays for all applicants, plus additional essays for applicants to the HEOP Scholars Program, Science Pathways Scholars Program, and Arts Program. Read on to learn how to tackle this year’s prompts! Want to know your chances at Barnard? Calculate your chances for free right now.

How to Write the Barnard College Essays

The first two essays were removed partway through the admissions cycle. They are no longer required on the Common App, but we left them here for reference.

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences. (250 words) **REMOVED PARTWAY THROUGH THE APPLICATIONS CYCLE. NO LONGER REQUIRED.**

Think of the activity in which you’ve shown the most commitment, or the one that has shaped you the most. Is there an activity that has equipped you with new skills, strengthened your personality traits, or changed your perspective? Activities like these tend to be the best subjects for your essay.

If you already elaborated upon the activity to which you’re most dedicated in your Common App essay, pick the “next best” activity. You want to make sure you’re sharing different aspects of your personality. You should also avoid activities that “look good” on a resume, but you don’t have a strong passion for, as this will show in your essay. 

A strong extracurricular essay is not about your achievements, as those can be learned about via your activities list. Instead, a strong extracurricular essay is about two things: your state of mind in the moment you participate in an activity, and how that activity has helped you develop skills and positive personality traits. This can be achieved by either a deep dive into an anecdote that prioritizes in-the-moment reflection, or a reflection interspersed with at least one anecdote. 

For in-the-moment reflection, you can take the reader to a specific experience that stands out in the arc of your extracurricular. Maybe it was auditioning for the lead role of a play for the first time and the nervous excitement you felt. You can also choose to narrate something more mundane but equally important, such as your daily soccer practice and the thoughts in your head as you dribble. 

The vital thing to remember is to incorporate reflection into your writing, not just to tell a story. It’s easy to get caught up in the details of your anecdote without showing how the extracurricular shaped you. Let us know what skills you’ve developed because of the activity, what personality traits have been strengthened, and whether the activity impacts the way you live other parts of your life.

If you don’t want your anecdote to span the entire essay, you can take the route of reflection interspersed with one anecdote. In this case, the opening of your essay might take us to a specific moment as you do your activity, which can be 20-30% of the essay, but the rest should be devoted to how the activity impacted you.

Who in your life is depending on you? What are they depending on you for? (250 words) **REMOVED PARTWAY THROUGH THE APPLICATIONS CYCLE. NO LONGER REQUIRED.**

You may not have entered the so-called “real world” of postgrad life, but there are already people who depend on you to meet their needs big and small. Applicants often choose a family member, friend, or teammate as the subject of this essay, but remember that you can pick a more creative focus too; your garden, the ingredients you cook with — basically anything is fair game as long as the topic reveals more about who you are, and the subject isn’t too far of a stretch .

To get started, describe why and how this person/thing depends on you. Maybe you support your family financially by working at the local grocery store. Maybe your volleyball teammates depend on you to organize bonding events. Maybe you tutor a classmate in math and help boost their confidence. Maybe the vegetables in your garden depend on you to be watered and cared for.

If you have responsibilities for someone that exceed what is required of your typical American high school student, be sure to use this space to discuss that dynamic in your essay. For example, if you have a child or financially support another family member, this is the place to describe that relationship.

Even though you are writing about someone/something that depends on you, make sure the focus of your essay is still you. Show us your responsibilities and how this relationship has shaped who you are.

What factors influenced your decision to apply to Barnard College and why do you think the College would be a good match for you? (100-250 words)

You want to consider a few factors when crafting your response to this prompt. 

First, identify what you are looking to get out of college in general. What excites you about embarking on this journey?

Next, think about what Barnard does best. You may want to do some research on the school, including scouring the school website and making a visit if it’s possible.

Write about the intersection of what you want and what Barnard has to offer. Be as specific and enthusiastic as you can. You can include the names of professors, courses, clubs, or programs on campus to show admissions officers that this school has what you need to fulfill your dreams. 

Maybe you’re a prospective psychology major who wants to one day work as a lawyer. You could mention the Forensic Psychology course, which explores the role of psychology in legal situations. In the class, you would cover relevant questions such as: What is the risk of a violent offender repeating the offense? What kinds of information influence juries? This class fuses two of your passions, and would help prepare you for your career in law.

Or, maybe you’re passionate about arts education and want to join Meet Me At the Museum, a group dedicated to providing educational museum tours to elementary school students. Be sure to mention at least one extracurricular aspect of Barnard, along with at least one academic one. Attending college is not just about what you do in the classroom, but also how you engage with the campus and broader community!

Pick one woman in history or fiction to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. What would you talk about? (100-250 words)

It’s time to get creative! The sky is the limit when it comes to answering questions like this one. The more personal and unique your answer is, the better.

While you can choose absolutely anyone, we recommend selecting a figure about whom you know a good deal and consider a role model. Many applicants might choose Michelle Obama, Sheryl Sandberg, or JK Rowling even though they don’t really relate to them. Their stories are so widely discussed as to feel like common knowledge, but you want to come across as someone with a deeper understanding of whomever you select. 

A better example might be someone like Greta Thunberg, a Swedish teen climate change activist. Maybe you, too, are an environmentalist, and you admire Thunberg’s staunch dedication. You might ask her about her transatlantic sailboat crossing and how she recommends talking about climate change with others. Remember that you can also pick a fictional character. Maybe you would like to sit down with Aibileen, one of the main characters in The Help . You might ask her whether writing has helped her find closure in her son’s death and the harsh reality she faced as a Black woman in the sixties. You would discuss with her the current state of race relations in the U.S. and hear about how things have changed, or not.

What’s most interesting about this essay is not who you pick as much as why you pick her. You can and should give a brief summary (50-100 words) of who she is and what she’s done (especially if she’s lesser-known), but most of your essay should focus on the hypothetical conversation (150-200 words). What questions would you ask her? What would you tell her? How do you think the two of you would get along, and why? Use this essay to reveal more of your interests and the qualities you admire in others.

Applicants to the HEOP Scholars Program

Describe the impact that an academic or personal challenge had on you during high school. how did you overcome the challenge what sources of support did you utilize along the way (100-250 words).

This scholarship exists to help students who have not had the same privileges as others excel in a college setting. The brief essay helps admissions officers figure out who will benefit most from this gift. In the few words you have, you want to write an essay that shows you can overcome major challenges.

With that in mind, we recommend writing about a pretty significant setback you have faced. A lot of students don’t feel comfortable writing about challenges they have faced. They think it’s too personal.

While it is always your call what to put in an essay, we encourage students to be as vulnerable as they can be for this prompt. Unless you show the admissions officers what you have overcome, they have no way of knowing how you’ll react to challenges in the future.

As you write about a particular challenge you have faced, be sure to emphasize the ways in which you have overcome it. For that reason, be sure to pick a past challenge rather than something you are working through currently.

Focus on what you did to resolve the issue. By the end of the essay, your readers should feel as though you have succeeded even though the odds were stacked against you.

Applicants to the Science Pathways Scholars Program for Underrepresented Minority and First-Generation Students

Please outline your interest in pursuing science and scientific research. you may reflect on your past experiences, discuss your role models, or describe your educational and career goals. (350 words).

If science is your passion, the committee for the Science Pathways Scholars Program wants to know it. This essay offers you the opportunity to explain what drives your scientific curiosity directly to the people who decide whether to grant you the scholarship.

When you first read the prompt, you may notice that it’s really broad. It asks for information about past experiences, role models, future goals, basically an outline of everything that makes you want to pursue science.

The good news is that you DO NOT have to address each of those areas in your essay. They have provided a list to give you ideas, but the question you really want to focus on is, “Why does pursuing science matter to you?” Feel free to use any anecdote that speaks to that core question, even if it doesn’t fall neatly into the categories given by the prompt.

Since most people learn best by stories, it’s a good idea to think of one or two turning points in your pursuit of science so far. Maybe learning about someone else’s work made you want to follow in their footsteps. Perhaps you made your own exciting discovery in a science class.

Try to remember one or two of the defining moments in your relationship with science, and portray it in your essay. From there, go on to explain the reasons why that defining moment sparked or deepened your love of science.

“Passionate” is the best tone for this essay. After you write your essay, give it to a trusted friend or mentor and ask, “Does this essay make it sound like I really want to study science?” If the answer is a resounding yes, then you are spot-on.

Applicants to the Arts Program

Optional: artist’s statement—briefly address your choice of medium, influences, themes, or approaches you feel would help us in understanding the sample you have submitted..

While this essay is optional, it is common for artists to write about their work. Keep in mind that this is not a creative essay. Your creativity is already on display in the art itself. Instead, keep your Artist’s Statement short and sweet.

Spend no more than two paragraphs introducing your work. If a few words will help the committee experience your work with new eyes or ears, be sure to share. Otherwise, simply state the medium and title of each piece.

You can use technical jargon, but on the whole make sure your statement is understandable even to someone outside your field.

Here is an example:

I have included photographs of my paintings for your review. All featured works use oil paints on canvas. I prefer this medium for the vast palette it offers and in honor of Vincent Van Gogh, whose art has inspired my own.

In all my paintings, I try to capture optimism in the face of adversity. The first image, “Acadia,” is an open air work inspired by the mountains of Acadia National Park. The three self-portraits explore light, texture, and color respectively. The two still life paintings, “Lilac” and “Lily” can be viewed separately or as a diptych. Photographs of each one on its own and of the two together are included. Thank you for your consideration.

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August 22, 2021

Barnard College 2021-2022 Essay Prompts

Barnard College has released its essay prompts for the 2021-2022 admissions cycle. Applicants to the Barnard College Class of 2026 will be asked to answer three essay prompts, each in 300 words, although one is labeled as optional. So what are the questions applicants to the Manhattan-based institution will be asked to answer? Wonder no more!

The first prompt reads, “What factors encouraged your decision to apply to Barnard College, and why do you think the college would be a good match for you?” In short, it’s a Why College essays but loyal readers of our college admissions blog likely already discerned precisely what Barnard’s admissions committee is asking in this prompt.

The second prompt reads, “At Barnard, academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What are some of the bold questions you have pondered that get you excited and why do they interest you? Tell us how you would explore these questions at Barnard.”

And the third prompt, which is optional, reads, “Pick one woman — a historical figure, fictitious character, or modern individual — to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. Why does this person intrigue you? What would you talk about? What questions would you ask them?” Of course, that which is “optional” in highly selective college admissions should not be considered optional. Applicants who wish to give themselves the best odds of admission to Barnard will thus answer all three essay prompts.

Have a question about the Barnard College 2021-2022 essay prompts? Let us know your question by posting it below. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Barnard College Admission Essays

Why barnard college: empowering women and fostering growth.

As I stood in the heart of bustling New York City, surrounded by towering skyscrapers and the vibrant energy of the city, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of awe and excitement. The possibilities seemed endless, and I knew that this was the…

Embracing Authenticity at Barnard College

As I reflect upon my educational journey and look towards the future, one institution stands out as the pinnacle of intellectual curiosity, inclusivity, and empowerment: Barnard College. For a college student like me, the prospect of joining the Barnard community is nothing short of thrilling….

Creating Change: My Journey towards Empowering Women

Throughout history, the struggle for gender equality has been an ongoing battle. As a college student at the esteemed Barnard College, I am committed to being at the forefront of this fight. My passion for empowering women and creating positive change in society has guided…

My Interest in Studying Medical Science

‘Medical science has proven time and again that when the resources are provided, great progress in the treatment, cure, and prevention of disease can occur.’ ~ by Michael J. Fox Recent ‘World Health Organization’ statistics shows a 9.6 million cancer deaths in 2018 and it…

Why I Am A Student Striving To Be A Physician

I cannot pinpoint one moment that leads me to believe being a physician will bring me the most satisfaction and joy, but it is instead a series of events till today. As a child, I eagerly followed my father to the hospital for ‘Take Your…

My Desire To Become A Medical Student

Through my exposure to the medical field and other experiences in the community, I have developed a strong desire to undertake a career that involves giving back to the community with medical knowledge. My determination to be in this field began at 10 years old,…

Born A Warrior: Medical College Admission Essay Sample

My mom says I was born a warrior. And yes, I am. On 6th Nov, a Six & half month premature baby was born in the family of doctors. Since that day my fate has been trying to meet its destination as a researcher in…

Why I Want To Pursue A Career In The Medical Field

My decision to study medicine stems from neither a life-changing event nor is it a childhood ambition. It is, rather a product of in-depth research and first-hand experience. Shadowing a pediatric intensivist allowed me to witness and observe several high-pressure situations, from the administration of…

Exploring Cultures and Societies

Barnard College, an all-women’s liberal arts college in New York City, has always been my dream school. From its academic reputation to its location in the heart of the city, Barnard College has everything I am looking for in a college experience. In this essay,…

Fighting Sexism with Lightsabers: College Admission Essay Sample

“This Jedi is female, so she’s not as smart.” The young man, Max, chortled this to his scene partner as our improvised Star Wars play came racing towards its climax. I stood backstage, suddenly feeling jarred. My character throughout the play had been a hero,…

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Barnard College: 2017-2018 Supplemental Essay Prompts & Examples

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Want to attend a small liberal arts college for women in a big city? You find the best of both worlds in Barnard College.

Barnard College, located in New York City, is a private women’s liberal arts college, affiliated with Columbia University. For students who can’t decide between a liberal arts college and a large coeducation university, Barnard College might just be the perfect school. Students are allowed cross-enroll in classes and in student clubs, expanding the diversity and network of students you’ll meet during your 4 years on campus.  If you’re interested in applying to Barnard, the college applications includes 3 additional writing supplements.

Here are Barnard’s 2017-2018 Supplemental Essay Prompts

A. what factors influenced your decision to apply to barnard college and why do you think the college would be a good match for you (100-250 words).

General Essay Tips:

Why do you want to be a Barnard Woman? Just like any other “Why Us” school-specific essay, the prompt is asking you to explain why you’re applying to Barnard and why do you think you’re a good fit for the school. To reiterate, it’s important you’ve done your research into the academic programs Barnard offers, what’s unique about the campus, and what the student body is like. What are some characteristics or interests of yours align with what they offer?

Here are some Why Barnard supplemental essay examples:

1. Why Barnard Supplement Example: STEM Majors

Essay Excerpt from Ramisa125, Barnard College ‘21

“But at Barnard, I see myself surrounded by hundreds of other brilliant young women, all working towards a common goal: to better the world while doing what we love. We’re not hindered by our gender; we’re empowered by it. Barnard is perfect for STEM not only because of research opportunities like the Beckman Scholars Program, but also because of the community of motivated women creating possibilities out of the impossible.”

Essay Analysis:

Ramisa125 incorporates what Barnard offers as a women’s college and the STEM opportunities the college offers. Earlier in her essay, she explains a past image she grew up with, something she hopes to be free of by being in a supportive environment, where she is surrounded by like minded women. By doing so, she was able to share a personal anecdote about herself, highlighting her interests and quirks, and demonstrate how she fits into Barnard’s student body.

Unlock her full Barnard College profile to read her full application essays and advice!

2. Why Barnard Supplement Example: Barnard Student Body

Essay Excerpt from MeganChang97, Barnard College ‘19

“While standing in front of the Diana Center, I was surprised to see how friendly and diverse the students were. When I returned to California, I continued to keep in touch with several students who would all gush about Barnard. By talking to the students, I began to love the idea of going to a women’s college and what it means to become a Barnard Woman.”

MeganChang97 focuses on student body as a primary reason for wanting to attend Barnard College. In her supplemental essay, she talks about her conversations with her aunt, a Barnard alumna, and other Barnard women, and how she identified with them. In this particular excerpt, while she doesn’t explicitly mention her conversation details with current students at Barnard, she demonstrates her interest in the college and her compatibility with current Barnard students.

B. Pick one woman in history or fiction to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. What would you talk about? (100-250 words)

Take some time and brainstorm. Write down some female figures you look up to as they come to mind. They can be family members, writers, scientists, entrepreneurs, or even fictional characters! Next to the names you’ve written down, jot down 3 characteristics you like about each of them. Look at your options: Is there any that you can link back to your own personality? Or perhaps about a subject you’d like to pursue?

While you’re writing a supplement about a woman you look up to or are interested in, you are also sharing something about yourself. Who you choose to talk about will indicate your interest, but it’s up to you to demonstrate your thought process and motivation behind it. They want to know how you uncover stories, how you engage with someone, and what you’re interested in (academically or not!).

Here are some supplemental essay examples:

1. Barnard Supplement Example: My Grandmother

Essay Excerpt from Ccg32, Barnard College ‘19

“In China 50 years ago, women were expected to conform to their gender roles and if they strayed from their given paths, they could easily be seen as “unwanted” when trying to find a husband. Despite the fact that she would have been looked down upon, my grandmother decided to unbind her feet at a young age and attend college.”

Choosing a family member can be a good choice for this essay topic if family background is an important of who you are, and you haven’t been able to touch on that in your application so far. In this essay excerpt, Ccg32 touched on her family heritage and goes on to explain how that has impacted her. More importantly, she does on to express how she wishes to get to know her grandmother better for further guidance and inspiration for her own future.

2. Barnard Supplement Example: A Neurosurgeon

Cjjo96, Barnard College ‘18

“The author, Dr. Katrina Firlik, has been my inspiration ever since. One of the few women in the neurology field, her wit, intellect and drive are distinct, impressive, and the reason she has been so successful. Much like me, she is passionate and strong in her opinions. She doesn’t comply with gender constructs and she has built a life in which she is insistent upon balancing her family and career.”

In Cjjo96’s supplemental essay excerpt, she does an excellent job of talking about the woman she is interested in, relating that back to her own interests and character. She was not only able to share her interest in neurology, but was also able to highlight her own characteristics.

C. Barnard women seek to make a difference in their community, whether through the residence hall, classes, clubs, volunteer work or a part-time job they hold. Describe how you make a difference in your community and what you have learned from that experience. In what ways do you see yourself contributing to the community at Barnard, inside or outside of the classroom? (100-250 words)

This is a new prompt! Last year’s prompt asked students to recount a time “when you majored in unafraid.” They have switched it up this year to focus more on community—what you’ve done so far, and what you plan on doing.

This is a great opportunity to touch on any volunteer work you’ve done, or any extracurriculars you participated in. Why were you dedicated to those efforts? The admissions office wants to know what motivated you to be a part of give back to your community, and if that dedication extends past your time in high school.

It also give you a chance to dive further into how well you know Barnard, and how well you fit in to Barnard’s student body. Admissions officers are not just looking to understand your values and beliefs, but also how your creative thinking and growth. How can you take the contribution you’ve done so far in your community and do more given Barnard’s resources and network? It’s your chance to show your potential.

Hope this was helpful for those of you finishing your Barnard applications! Interested in reading these students’ full personal statements in addition to their full responses to the Barnard supplemental prompts? Unlock all of them in one go with our  Barnard Essentials Package ! 

Our  premium plans  offer different levels of profile access and data insights that can help you get into your dream school. Unlock any of our  packages  or search our  undergraduate profile database  to find specific profiles that can help you make an informed choice about where to apply! We have 60,000+ successful college application files uploaded by college students. See how they got in, and how you can too!

About The Author

Frances was born in Hong Kong and received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. She loves super sad drama television, cooking, and reading. Her favorite person on Earth isn’t actually a member of the AdmitSee team - it’s her dog Cooper.

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Barnard College is a private women’s liberal arts college that is found within Columbia University. It is located in the heart of the city that never sleeps, New York City. Barnard is extremely selective as its acceptance rate lies around 11%. So, how do we help make you a part of that 11%? In order to apply, students must complete two Barnard supplemental essays and one optional Barnard supplemental essay.

Before you begin answering the Barnard supplemental essay questions, it is important to do your research. Find out what parts of Barnard excite you and differentiate from other colleges. Here’s our guide for how to ace the Barnard College supplemental essay questions!

Before answering the essay questions 

All Barnard College applicants have to respond to two required 250 word maximum Barnard supplemental essays. There are also three additional optional Barnard supplemental essays that also have a 250 word maximum, 

250 words is not a lot. Therefore, it is best to be direct and concise with your responses! To ensure you do not drag on, brainstorm! This will allow you to plan out responses carefully to fit your personality into your response without it being over the word count. 

If your response ends up being too long, try to get rid of filler or transition words. Give your essay to someone you trust to read it over to help get fresh eyes to eliminate words as well! Doing this will make your Barnard supplemental essay responses stand out from the rest! 

Required: Essay question #1 

“Our backgrounds and experiences shape how we navigate the world and see ourselves. Tell us about when, where, or with whom you feel your most authentic, powerful self. How might Barnard further cultivate this version of you? (250 words max)”

Barnard recognizes that everyone is different and comes from different walks of life. So, this is your opportunity to describe your unique qualities, background and experiences. However, it is important to note that the second part of this prompt “How might Barnard further cultivate this version of you?” is the real question Barnard is asking! Draw connections between where or how you feel your most authentic, powerful self and qualities Barnard demonstrates. For example, if your Latina heritage is an important part of your identity, you should discuss your interest and excitement about joining the Mujeres club for Barnard Latinas . 

The way you should format your response to this prompt is by first telling a story about a background, experience, identity, etc that demonstrates your authentic self! Then, describe 1-2 aspects of Barnard you are looking forward to participating in or being a part of that connects to this identity. If you cannot find an aspect of Barnard that completely matches your identity, then you can even discuss a club or idea you have that you hope to bring to the Barnard community! 

Questions to consider

• What makes you unique? Can you describe a story that demonstrates important parts of your identity or culture? 
• Who or what makes you feel like your authentic and true self?
• What aspects of Barnard are you excited to discover or join? Is this a specific club, a class, a piece of equipment on campus? Describe it in detail to demonstrate your interest! 

Required: Essay question #2

“Barnard College celebrates intellectual risk-taking and we believe that academic inquiry starts with bold questions. What questions do you have about the world around you, and why do they matter to you? (250 words max)”

This prompt is essentially asking you to describe what interests you. Barnard wants to get to know its applicants. 

Choosing just one or two “bold” questions is a difficult task. Therefore, you must brainstorm before answering this essay prompt. Write a list of questions that you have always wondered about. You can approach this prompt by choosing two to three broad issues or one in-depth question. 

Once you have selected what question or questions you want to dive into, make sure to connect these back to Barnard’s resources. How will Barnard be able to help you explore these questions? Is there a particular class or club offered that will allow you to quench your curiosity? Remember, Barnard wants to see applicants who have done their research and are serious about attending their college. 

• How have you been challenged in the past? 
• Have you ever changed your mind on a topic? Why or why not? 
• What is a topic you are passionate about? If you had to give a TED Talk on a specific topic, what would it be about? 

Optional: Essay questions 

Although this essay is optional, no essay is truly optional when it comes to the college admissions process. Be sure to complete each of the Barnard supplemental essays, as you want to take advantage of any presented opportunity to reveal more about your personality.

Optional Essay #1

“Barnard’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mission statement says “Our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity has the potential to disrupt and transform entrenched practices and thinking.” In what ways have you challenged ideas, practices, or spaces? What did you learn from these experiences? (250 words max)”

This prompt is interested in getting to know the core beliefs of students and how far they’ve gone to uphold these beliefs. Ultimately, Barnard wants to invite students to campus who act to make change. So, if this prompt sounds up your alley, respond to it! 

Try and think of a time in which you disagreed with some sort of regulation, rule, statement, etc and what you did to disrupt or transform these entrenched practices and thinking. This example can be as big or as small as you would like! Remember, Barnard knows that you are just a high school student, so they are not expecting you to have organized a huge uprising! For example, you can discuss a time you stood up to your principal over an unfair and sexist dress code or how you attended a local politician’s rally to protest their want to shut down a local business. Whatever your experience, a strong response will feature a story about the experience and then most importantly a reflection that shows what you learned from this experience and what you will take with you to Barnard in order to make some changes there. 

• What are some core beliefs you hold? 
• Have you ever challenged an idea, practice or space? Why? How did you go about doing so? Would you do anything differently? 
• Why is disrupting unfair practices important? 

Optional Essay #2

“ As a college for women, “Barnard embraces its responsibility to address gender issues in all their complexity and urgency to help students achieve the personal strength that will enable them to meet the challenges they will encounter throughout their lives.” How have you thought about gender in your academic life thus far and how has it shaped your learning experiences? (250 words max)”

Barnard is an all-women college which is an important part of their identity and values. Therefore, they unfortunately understand and recognize that women are typically a marginalized community in a lot of aspects. Barnard is interested to hear about how being a woman has influenced your learning experiences thus far. So, this could be the perfect opportunity for you to discuss any challenges you have faced. For example, perhaps in your engineering elective class in high school you are the only girl which has unfortunately come with some snide comments in class. Or perhaps you had to work hard to get your voice heard during an English presentation in which 2 boys were paired with you. Be sure to be as specific as possible while writing your response! And remember, no challenge is too small of a challenge to write about! All Barnard wants to hear in this response is that you have worked harder to become the smart and amazing woman you are today. 

• How has being a woman brought challenges in your academic life? 
• What have you learned about yourself from these challenges? 
• Why do you want to attend an all-women college? What differences in your education do you believe there will be, if any? 

Optional Essay #3

“Pick one woman — a historical figure, fictitious character, or modern individual — to converse with for an hour and explain your choice. Why does this person intrigue you? What would you talk about? What questions would you ask them? (250 words max)”

Barnard is an all-women college. This means that your answer should reveal how much being surrounded by strong women appeals to you. This essay provides you with a lot of creative freedom. 

To begin, you should pick a woman who means something to you. You can spend a few minutes writing down a list of women who are important to you or have inspired you in some way. Then narrow down this list to one woman you should love to talk with for an hour. Some women you can choose from are Taylor Swift, Hermonie Granger, or your grandma! The limits are endless. 

Remember that this essay is about you and not the woman that you are choosing to write about. Therefore, make sure to tie all of your statements back to yourself. Be sure to reveal pieces of your personality that you have not already in this application. 

Choose someone that you genuinely admire! Do not pick someone that you think the admissions officers want to hear. Rather, be true to yourself and your heroines. 

• Who is the most inspirational woman in your life? 
• Who is the strongest woman you have learned about? 
• Who is your favorite woman in a television show or book? 

Should I answer the optional Barnard College questions? 

Even though some of these questions are optional, responding to as many questions strongly should be a priority if Barnard College is a top-choice for you! Try to think about your application as a whole, if there are some aspects of your background or academic progress you feel need to be reiterated, then taking advantage of the optional essays might be a good idea! 

Additionally, optional essays are a great opportunity to showcase your unique qualities and experiences that will make you a valuable addition to Barnard’s community. So, if you have something exceptional to share that hasn’t been covered by the required supplemental essays, definitely consider using the optional essays for this purpose! 

Overall, keep in mind that it’s better to submit a strong, well-written essay than to submit an optional essay that adds little value to your application. Do not feel compelled to write an optional supplemental essay just for the sake of responding to it! Rather, respond to the optional essays in order to enhance your application and increase your chances of being accepted into Barnard. 

So long story short, respond to as many Barnard optional supplemental essays as possible as long as they are still strengthening your application and providing valuable information not covered elsewhere. 

Next steps after applying to Barnard College

Congratulations! You are now done with the Barnard College supplemental essays! It is time to submit your flawless application! 

The next step after you submit your application would be to continue to show demonstrated interest in Barnard so they know you are committed and prioritizing their school (even if you have a few other top choices.) 

How can I show demonstrated interest in Barnard College? 

• Apply Early Decision
• Interview, if offered
• Attend a campus tour
• Complete any optional essays
• Contact an admissions officer

Essentially, by taking advantage of one of the above suggestions, Barnard will see how committed you are to their college. This will give you a leg up above the competition. 

Additional resources

As you are in the middle of the college application process, it can be stressful. There are a lot of tough decisions you will have to make. Luckily, we have an abundance of resources to make the college process a little easier on you. 

• How many schools should you apply to?
• How to find safety, reach, and match schools
• Should you send your test scores to test-optional schools ? 

Finally, make you that you apply to all the scholarships you qualify for!

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, barnard essays that worked.

Hey guys, I'm applying to Barnard and could use some guidance. Can anyone share examples of essays that worked or some tips on how to nail the Barnard supplemental essays?

Hi there! It's great to hear that you're applying to Barnard. CollegeVine has an article with three example essays submitted by real students, along with feedback on what worked well and what could be improved upon: https://blog.collegevine.com/barnard-essay-example

Also check out this CollegeVine article with tips on writing each of the Barnard essays: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-barnard-college-essays

Lastly, don't forget to proofread your essays and have someone else review them for clarity and coherence. This will ensure that your writing is polished and free of errors.

Good luck with your application to Barnard!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Barnard College Undergraduate College Application Essays

These Barnard College college application essays were written by students accepted at Barnard College. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

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College Application Essays accepted by Barnard College

Harmony anonymous, barnard college.

Entering the music room in LaGuardia Community College for the first time, I sit down before the upright piano and take out Mozart's Fantasy in D Minor. It is a simple piece, but one of my favorites. It consists of three parts, the first with a...

The Summer Volunteer Anonymous

Ping! The elevator doors opened on Floor Nine, and I was in another world. Leaving the chaos of panicking patients and bustling doctors in the floors below, I found myself walking down a deserted hallway.

This was my first day volunteering at the...

A Newfound Nostalgia Katherine Perry

Describe an aspect of your childhood/upbringing that shaped the person you are today.

In a navy blue Volvo station wagon my entire childhood evolved. Inside, memories rested alongside the hardened French fries and squashed fruit snacks that lined...

Crack & Grow Up Grace Anzalone

I firmly believe that antidrug campaigns whose values instill the “just say no” attitude in elementary school children should be extended to encompass the wretched habit of knuckle cracking. I have done it since I was a young tot, I am told, which...

A Fork Rose Tran

I have encountered a fork. Should I again submit to my father’s demands as I am sent to the kitchen to serve or should I refuse and risk tainting my role as the ideal Vietnamese daughter? I succumb, and fetch a repulsive-smelling platter of duck,...

Walking My Dog Anonymous

Every morning before I go to school, I take my dog, Buxton, on a walk around the neighborhood. It is a very mundane task, but because of the struggle I faced to finally own Buxton, the time I spend with him each morning is special to me. I had...

"We've Done It." Wong Jia Yi Geraldine

I wish I could do it all but I’m no superwoman; I’m just an ordinary girl with 24 hours a day. Deciding to write and direct for DramaFest, an intra-school Drama competition, meant sacrificing other clashing commitments including leading in...

The Backyard Anonymous

I remember when the flowers stopped blooming.

All throughout my childhood there was always one thing that would instantly make me happy. I had a beautiful backyard in my childhood home. The smell of the ripe red mango trees and the chirping of the...

Augusta, Nice to Meet You Najaad Dayib

With as much grace as I can summon, I'd begin a conversation with Augusta Savage by thanking her. I’d tell her, “Thank you. Thank you for being a warrior in the Civil Rights Movement, for following your passion and being a great educator, artist,...

Fighting Sexism with Lightsabers Loie Plautz

“This Jedi is female, so she’s not as smart.” The young man, Max, chortled this to his scene partner as our improvised Star Wars play came racing towards its climax. I stood backstage, suddenly feeling jarred. My character throughout the play had...

Feminist Photographer Anonymous

Behind the camera’s shutter, I am never calm or collected. I am, more often than not, trying to figure out my next shot, my eyes darting from my subject to the light source to a detail of the scene. However, I am perfectly content.

When taking...

A Place in the Sky Anonymous

There’s something oddly comforting about sitting in an airplane and barreling through the sky at 37,000 feet. Granted, the food could be better and the seats a little bigger, but I’ve never been able to find a place quite like this one. When I’m...

A Meaningful Place Sophie Lis

The soft reminder of warm light, the neat rows of novels and biographies and volumes of poetry against mahogany shelves back to back in a literary continuum… I walk further into Barnes and Noble. Swim in circles around the small brown tables in...

Virginia Woolf Sophie Lis

The thick aroma of yellowed pages wafting in and out the small library room, I sit on the small stool, knees hunched together nervously, my back bent over in a style that would render Rodin pleased. In the first glimpse of the tip of the large...

Majoring in Unafraid Anonymous

“There is a one percent chance of rain,” my camp counselors told us as we packed for our overnight. We threw in just what we needed, leaving our raincoats behind.

The next day, after a trek through the beautiful Yosemite backcountry, it began to...

Tea with a Trailblazer Anonymous

If given the opportunity to sit down with any woman and converse for an hour, I would select Jeanine Tesori, the first woman to win the Tony Award for Best Original Score. Tesori is credited with composing the musicals Fun Home, Thoroughly Modern...

Why Barnard? Anonymous

When I was in eighth grade, during the 2012 Presidential Election, I ran to represent President Obama in my American History class’ mock election. Despite the obvious differences between the President and myself, I believed that with preparation,...

The American Dream in All Its Flavors Anonymous

My childhood included everything from waking up to my mom’s dramatic wake up calls in the mornings, eating ice cream from the carton with my siblings, rough-and-tumble play with my father, to family dinners at our Chinese restaurant, filled with...

Being the Next Generation Role Model Anonymous

Reshma Saujani, the founder of Girls Who Code, awed me when I first met her at Fashion Institute of Technology. Originally a politician who became the first Indian American woman to run for Congress, Mrs. Saujani had no technological skills to...

K-Pop Blooms a Thousand Stories Anonymous

It was my turn to speak.

The Korean girl across the table and I had spent the past hour in a back-and-forth of stilted conversation. Our pre-collegiate institute had demanded that all disciplines “mingle,” and the silence told a story of two...

Jaggery Shyla Singh

The alarm heralding the dawn becomes redundant as a mix of dread and excitement has kept me up all night. It’s 5 am. Today I will compete in my third Junior National Equestrian Championship in Pune at the National Defence Academy.

I’ve determined...

How Grief Helped Me Recognize My Vulnerability Anonymous

I search “how to grieve properly” in the naive but hopeful belief Google knows the answer. An article tells me “broken crayons still color.” This strikes me as not only condescending but false. I am in pain and I am healing, but I am not broken....

Barnard as a Catalyst for Self-Discovery Audrey Pettit

In childhood, amid Barbies and pink wallpaper, I had the privilege of ignorance. But when I was catcalled by a man twice my age, the uncomfortable reality came into focus. At age thirteen, I realized my gender influences how others perceive me....

The Incredible Barnard Community Anonymous

“We’re so close... We can just talk on and on,” the Barnard tour-guide said to our group, laughing. To my surprise, she wasn’t talking about a relationship with a faculty member, as was customary on college tours. She was actually talking about...

Recent Questions about Barnard College

The Question and Answer section for Barnard College is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.